Koyen & Sieracki Earn Victories In MidWest
Tweetpress release
Superkarts! USA returned to the state of Wisconsin after a number of years away when the Midwest ProKart Challenge took its series to the Road America facility in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin on June 30-July 1. The Blain’s Farm & Fleet Motorplex inside the famed 4-mile circuit hosted karters from around the Great Lakes area to contest rounds three and four of the six-race series. Those drivers on hand battled warm weather conditions and a challenging course, while completing nearly 100 competition laps over the two days. The championships moved to the next chapter following the opening two rounds in Quincy during the month of May, and will complete its final stage come August 18-19 at the New Castle Motorsports Park.
The TaG Senior class, sponsored by Kart Star Motorsports, was very competitive with familiar names battling one another. Point leader Tommy Andersen led things to start off the action on Saturday as he posted the fast lap of 49.2 seconds. Andersen went on to win both heat races, although he was challenged by fellow Wisconsin driver TJ Koyen in both. In the feature, Koyen would come through for the victory to end Andersen’s streak, dropping him down to second with veteran Jamie Sieracki in third. Sunday saw Sieracki jump to the top of the sheets in qualifying with a new set of MG Tires strapped on, bettering the time set by Andersen the previous day by seven-tenths. Koyen came forward in heat one, taking the win and bringing Andersen with him to put Sieracki back to third. Andersen took his turn at the point as he came away with the win in heat two, as Sieracki ran second and Koyen fell to third. Sieracki was able to get the jump as the green flag waved to start the feature race. Zach Hawley jumped into the battle for second, allowing Sieracki enough time to establish a sizable lead. After 20 laps, Sieracki scored the victory by two seconds over Andersen and Koyen.
Above: The TaG Senior podium from Sunday with Jamie Sieracki (c) as the winner
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Petersen Racing
It was mainly a two-driver battle in the J.D. Byrider Racing-sponsored S5 Junior Stock Moto category that hosted six drivers on the weekend. Collin Willis and Erik Nelson continued their battle from TNT Kartway where Nelson led the majority of the weekend. The first day at Road America was all Nelson as he swept the day’s action. Qualifying on the pole position, he won both heat races and the feature race with Willis on his bumper throughout the day. Kyle Kennedy, making his first start in the series, rounded out the podium. Sunday began with Willis at the top of the time sheets with Nelson second. Heat one came down to a photo finish with Nelson gaining the win by 12-thousandths. Heat two was nearly as close, with Willis edging out Nelson by one-tenth. Willis led things to begin the feature race, but in the end Nelson would triumph for his first feature win of the season. Six seconds back was Willis, with Kennedy ending the weekend with another solid third place finish.
Above: Erik Nelson (c) added to his championship lead in S5 with a victory on Saturday
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Petersen Racing
Two drivers made their series debut with a victory. Brian McEvoy won Saturday’s feature race, while defending SKUSA Pro Tour champion Brian McHattie scored the checkered flag on Sunday. McHattie was in the driver’s seat during the first day of action. He led things after qualifying and won both heat races. He was leading the feature comfortably until a mechanical issue put him on the sidelines. That handed the lead and the win to McEvoy, as Mark Peters ran to second. McHattie redeemed himself the following day as he swept the action. McEvoy was second until mechanical issues struck him just a few laps from the finish, moving Peters up to second once again.
Ron Petersen extended his point lead in the S4 Master Stock Moto championship chase with sweeps on both days. Petersen led qualifying, won both heat races and earned the checkered flag in the feature each day. Kris Dickson kept Petersen honest all weekend long, running second both days. Nick Lougee ran uncontested in the S2 Semi-Pro category to build on his championship lead in the standings. The quickest driver of the weekend was Open Shifter entrant Cody Elliott. He recorded the fastest laps of the weekend as he ran uncontested to victory in the local option class. Tony Peterson (TaG Junior) and Nick Nufer (TaG Cadet) capped off the event winners.
Above: Debut victory for Brian McEvoy (c) in TaG Master
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Petersen Racing
The series finale is set for Indy – the New Castle Motorsports Park to be more specific. Located just 45 minutes from downtown Indianapolis, the 1-mile course is one of the most popular facilities in all of United States karting.
